Chapter 26 #2
“This is when I love ancient history the most,” said Nell. “It’s still so alive you can touch it, centuries later.”
Mattie drank in the wonder in her eyes. It was addictive.
The highlight was the Great Bath where, according to the audio guide, the naturally hot mineral water which rose at the Sacred Spring was forty-six degrees centigrade.
“I don’t know what I expected,” said Nell, “but I didn’t realise the water would look green or be so hot.”
“Not as hot as you,” Mattie whispered.
Nell laughed. “You are incorrigible.”
“I’m horny.”
“You surprise me.” Nell tried and failed to keep a deadpan expression on her face. “And there was me thinking about how the Baths are famous for bestowing healing and calming powers.”
At the end of the tour, they took the opportunity to taste the famous spa water, which contained forty-three minerals. “It tastes like water, but with a strange tang to it,” said Nell.
Mattie’s lips twitched. “Hm, you’re right. I prefer the taste of you.”
“Okay, that’s one suggestive remark too many.” Nell grabbed Mattie’s hand. “We need to go back to the hotel now.”
Mattie’s throat was suddenly parched at the heady combination of her own need and Nell’s-in-charge mode. “Your wish is my command.”
When they got back to their room, many commands were issued and adhered to, and Mattie thought she was sated…
until she emerged from the bathroom to discover Nell wearing a midnight-blue dress with a halter neck that should’ve looked conservative but clung tantalisingly.
Everywhere. And she was wearing suede heels. “You look exquisite,” she said.
Nell brushed the sleek material over her thighs. “I don’t usually dress up like this. The chance of twisting an ankle is considerable.”
Mattie stepped closer to her. “If it wasn’t for the fact that our dinner venue is such a treat, I’d cancel it in favour of room service.”
“You look pretty dapper yourself. I love the waistcoat and tie ensemble.” Nell’s gaze was warm and a little shy. “We make a good couple.”
“That we do,” said Mattie, and she unravelled all over again.
The restaurant was small and tasteful, with abstract artwork on the walls, wooden floors, pristine white tablecloths, and sparkling cutlery.
It paled into insignificance, because Mattie had eyes only for the woman sitting opposite her.
“In another life, you were a goddess.” She smiled and shook her head slightly.
“I think those Roman Baths cast a spell over me.”
Nell laughed gently. “I could come out with any number of flippant responses to that. Sincerely, Mattie? I never imagined doing something like this again. Dressing up, out on a date, with anyone. And I’m loving it.”
“So am I.” She didn’t have a chance to say anything more, because the waiter arrived with their next course. They’d already savoured a maitake mushroom with seaweed, samphire, and a Yuzu dressing.
The waiter placed their plates on the table in front of them. “Roast noisette of cod with a saffron and bouillabaisse sauce,” he said. “It is paired with a Chateau de Manissy Lirac Blanc.”
“Thank you.” When he was out of earshot, Mattie whispered, “What’s a noisette when it’s at home?”
Nell giggled. “I thought it was a French chocolate made with hazelnuts.”
Mattie cut through the tender white flesh and popped a morsel into her mouth. “No hazelnuts, but it’s divine.”
“I’ve never eaten in a restaurant like this before,” said Nell. “I’m so unsophisticated, I have to keep resisting the urge to Google everything I’m eating, and take photos. The dishes are a work of art.”
“Instagram is flooded with that kind of thing.” Mattie forked another small bite, wanting to eek out the dish for as long as possible. “My cooking is so atrocious that anything tastes good, to be fair.”
Nell smiled indulgently. “Angie’s cooking is superb, but I doubt she could school herself into serving such small portions. She’s very much a let-me-feed-you-up type of cook.”
“Her breakfasts are legendary.” Mattie dabbed her lips with the linen napkin. “Did I tell you that Rosie is staying with me the week after next? She’s going to shadow me to get a taste of broadcast journalism.”
“I knew it was on the cards,” said Nell. “Rosie told me that you’re mentoring her.”
“Not so much mentoring as a gentle lift-up.”
“I hope you’re not going to corrupt her with all the dubious tricks of your trade.” Nell straightened her cutlery on her now empty plate. “She’s a nice girl.”
“She’s too nice. She needs to have some of that stardust rubbed out of her eyes if she’s going to be half-decent.” Mattie sipped at her water. Over the glass, she caught Nell’s awkward expression. “What is it?”
“Nothing.” Nell studied a painting of three blurry cubes.
Mattie reached out for her hand. “Is this about my unprofessional behaviour when—”
“No, nothing like that.” Nell sighed. “It’s embarrassing.”
“Tell me?”
Nell’s cheeks reddened. “There’s not much to tell, except for how jealous I was when Rosie asked you out.”
Mattie shook her head and chuckled. “There was never anything to be jealous of.”
“She’s young, and fun, and impulsive.” Nell sagged. “All the things I’m not.”
“I’m not interested in dating women who were born this millennium.” Mattie stretched her arm across the table, palm upwards. “I am, however, very interested in a certain police inspector with the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary. She’s kind, interesting, and hot as hell.”
“You’re very good for my ego.” Nell placed her hand in Mattie’s. “Still on the subject of Rosie, she’s going to help with PR for a new project of mine and Angie’s.”
Mattie listened with interest as Nell revealed she worked as a volunteer for a domestic violence charity. Knowing Nell’s boundless compassion, it didn’t surprise her in the least.
“Like a lot of charities, we’re struggling because of a drop in donations caused by the economic downturn.
We need more support to help us do our work, everything from keeping shelters open to providing school uniforms and basics like food and toiletries to families who’ve fled an abuser with nothing but for the clothes on their backs.
” Nell paused and gave a frown. “Sorry, I sound like a TV advert begging for money. You already know a lot of what I’m saying. ”
Mattie nodded as she sipped her wine.
“I want to organise a fundraiser, something bigger than our usual events, with business sponsorship,” Nell said.
“Local or national businesses?”
“Both. I’ve got a few ideas, but they require more expertise and support than I have access to. I ran the idea through with Angie, and her Women in Business group have agreed to get involved.”
“That’s really exciting.” Mattie’s heart swelled as Nell chatted through various ideas, clearly fulfilled by it.
A stab of envy caught her. When had she last felt properly fulfilled by anything?
She was just going through the motions with her work right now, and there was no creative joy or excitement to it.
She’d struggled through three weeks of constant reminders of Kenya.
Jon’s ugly mug was on breakfast TV, for fuck’s sake.
Nell would understand if she shared her irritation, but why ruin a fantastic evening by spilling her guts?
And then there was the argument that’d soured her lunch with Shona.
Shona hadn’t been able to stop herself from ambushing her with talk about therapists and counselling.
She gave herself a mental shake. She needed to let it all go, to focus on the future and the good things in life.
She had a meeting with the station boss next Thursday about a potential new role.
Post-Kenya, her reporting duties had been restricted because of a no-fly policy while her lungs fully recovered from the effects of smoke inhalation damage and pneumothorax.
Her lungs were as good as they’d ever get now, and while she wouldn’t be scuba diving in a hurry, she could fly.
And the best thing in her life was sitting opposite her in a stunning midnight-blue dress with her heart on her sleeve. Yes, Mattie had a lot to be thankful for. She just had to resist the urge to revert to type and ruin it.